Question

Cyanide (a poison) binds with proteins involved in producing ATP. If a eukaryotic cell is exposed to cyanide, most of the cyanide will be found within the ________?

1) Nucleus
2) Mitochondria
3) Endoplasmic reticulum
4) Golgi apparatus

Answer 1

Cyanide targets the mitochondria and inhibits the ETC, leading to an increase in pH in the intermembrane space and halting ATP synthesis, which can result in cell death.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a eukaryotic cell is exposed to cyanide, most of the cyanide will be found within the mitochondria. Cyanide inhibits cytochrome c oxidase, which is a crucial component of the electron transport chain (ETC) that takes place in the mitochondria. The inhibition of this enzyme disrupts ATP synthesis by preventing the transport of electrons, which is necessary to maintain the proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane.

The proton gradient is essential for the production of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation. Without electron transport, protons are not pumped into the intermembrane space, leading to a decrease in the proton gradient which would cause an increase in pH of the intermembrane space. Consequently, ATP synthesis is halted because ATP synthase relies on the proton gradient to produce ATP. Cyanide poisoning ultimately results in cellular respiration ceasing, depriving the cell of energy and potentially leading to cell death.